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City Council Minutes <br />May 30, 2018 <br />Page 4 <br />A youth commission member stated Council can't delay the decision and not allow <br />time for messaging to reach the community. He stated he'd like the city to be able to <br />provide them with a message they can blast out to their families/members. <br />Councilmember Wagner questioned if the groups in the audience felt their needs were <br />being served or if Council is missing anything as they take a broad look at the future. <br />A member stated they will not support a referendum if Council goes with fixing the <br />arena. He stated every field needs some type of work. <br />Mayor Dietz expressed concerns with spending over $25 million and getting a <br />referendum to pass. He stated even with add-ons, he is concerned many people will <br />still think this referendum is only for an arena. He stated the budget needs to be <br />manageable so people will vote for it. Mayor Dietz stated he'd like staff to bring a list <br />of items and their associated costs so Council can choose referendum add-ons. <br />Garrett Christianson (currently running for Councilmember Ward 1) stated it is <br />expensive to live in Elk River and he doesn't want to see property taxes increase. He <br />stated a decision is needed without rushing into it and the referendum needs to appeal <br />to a broad base. <br />Councilmember Wagner asked youth commission members if they could support <br />Option 2. <br />A youth commission member suggested Council buy back (or buy out the lease) the <br />YMCA facility. He stated many community members feel they were screwed by the <br />YMCA deal and now they can't use the facility like they expected. He suggested <br />kicking the YMCA out and using the facility to earn revenue for the city. <br />Councilmember Olsen felt the YMCA appeals to a much broader base than Elk River <br />and reaps economic benefit from people utilizing it. <br />It was suggested to add on to the YMCA facility amenities similar to the Andover <br />model. <br />Councilmember Wagner questioned if the city could expand off the YMCA or have <br />discussions with them about its usage or the running of the facility. She stated more <br />conversation is needed in this area. <br />There was discussion about the open gym program at the YMCA. Councilmember <br />Wagner stated she has attended the open gym program and it is not fun. She noted <br />open gym nights are also frustrating to YMCA members. <br />Councilmember Westgaard discussed the long-term notice requirements for the <br />YMCA building. <br />It was suggested if any members had ideas to email them to Mr. Williams. <br />�orteto er <br />NATURE <br />